Hi, sorry yes, I did mean shavings. It had been a long day I think I'm going to use a hemp based product. Maybe more expensive but seems to be worth it. Is it OK to spread grass clippings in the run? It's large and on soil, if that makes a difference. I thought it would give them something to scratc...

When I got my girls a fortnight ago, they did the same and slept squashed up in the nest boxes. Now, they all sleep on the perches, so I wouldn't worry, they'll sort themselves out in time.

My coop needs a clean out, which means I need to buy some bedding, but not sure which to get. Could you please tell me what you use and why? I phoned a local supplier for prices, and was confused by all the different brands. Surely wood chip is wqod chip, isn't it? And what about the hemp based prod...

I usually shop at T***os and buy a few bits at Lidl, but after reading this thread I'm gonna have a go at Aldi tomorrow. They keep winning Which Supermarket of the Year, so they must be good. And these days, every little helps!

OK , So I have nothing better to do on a Sunday night but research !!! Chickens in the artic circle ? http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/story/2013/01/13/north-arctic-farm-inuvik.html Ah-ha! So there is at least one chicken keeper, but in artificial conditions ina barn, so the continuous daylight ...

Yeah, I know they aren't the best layers but that's not a problem.

There's a breeder near here, she has blue-buff columbians, dark and white available. Oh, and I think she has some lemon pyle too.

Since I got my girls, I spend hours browsing the web for chicken info and photos. I came across some pictures of Brahmas, and think they are the most gorgeous chooks. They just look so cuddly

Does anyone here keep them? I'm sorely tempted...

OK, so maybe not that far north, but aren't there inhabited areas further south where it stays light for more than 24 hours during the summer? Wouldn't they keep chickens there?

I was just explaining to my Hubby that chickens will put themselves to bed at dusk no matter the time of year. He asked what they do inside the arctic circle when it stays light for months. I have no idea, do you

A lady after my own heart! I save empty coke bottles to use as mini cloches etc. Good tip about the milk bottles for eggs. And at this time of year I'm always looking for containers to hold frozen veg.

You are so lucky to have access to free pallets near you. We used to get a delivery of about 50 for £15. Two deliveries fed our wood burner and kept us warm all winter, but the seller has decided to stop selling them, so this year we are gonna feel the cold

Ah-ha! The plastic milk bottles is a brilliant idea, so I'm gonna save all mine til next year and sell off the surplus berries. Thanks Mo

How thoughtful of your OH Lovely looking girls

You appear to have forgotten to install machine gun towers on the perimiter but otherwise you have done well with your protective measures Dom PS Advise other half not to mark his territory near the electric fence as it may give him more excitement than he can handle The mind boggles! e2a: Just rea...

I read online that it's fossilised diatoms and how it works. Clever stuff. Also that you can use it to kill internal parasites. Can anyone tell me how to use it in the coop, how much should I order etc? And does anyone feed it to their chooks?